Does any one know what might happen to the price of second-hand cars should the Government car exchange programme happen? If there is a minimum £2k trade-in then will qualifying cars be in demand?
Our Smart car needs a new engine
- Thread starter ALFIE CONN
- Start date
Does any one know what might happen to the price of second-hand cars should the Government car exchange programme happen? If there is a minimum £2k trade-in then will qualifying cars be in demand?
kwakdonut
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,744
- Location
- Highworth, Wiltshire
- Car
- Frod Mundano TDCi, Kawasaki z650
I thought it had already started?
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
I met a Swiss guy over here for his hols and he had done 90k miles on the original engine with no real problems. Met another guy who commutes from here to London 5 days per week, knocks up 30k miles per annum. Not my choice but he seemed very satisfied.
Apparently they do need the oil topped up from time to time -and not everyone remembers.....
Apparently they do need the oil topped up from time to time -and not everyone remembers.....
Smarties
Active Member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2008
- Messages
- 444
For all you Smart Knockers, this from Smartimes: MONSTER MILES FOR MICRO CAR
A smart fortwo has notched up a staggering 339,600 miles:
more than 13 times around the equator.The iconic car, first registered in 2000, is still running on the original 3-cylinder engine and gearbox. It began its life 5 years ago doing daily trips of almost 200 miles for a German dental laboratory and has since been run by an automotive magazine.
The car’s repair history during its marathon mileage has been unspectacular: the original brakes were changed at 84,000 miles and the clutch at 96,000 miles. All other repairs have been minor and the car is still going strong..
Chris Smith, Car Editor at Glass’s Guide, said:
“Facts like these underpin our opinion that the smart fortwo has the best residual value of any of its competitors.”
Jeremy Simpson, head of smart in the UK and Ireland, said:
“Many people make the assumption that small cars are not particularly durable, however, smart is no ordinary small car because it is engineered by Mercedes-Benz. It has been seven years since the original fortwo was launched in Europe and so it’s no surprise to see stories like this appearing around the world.”
A smart fortwo has notched up a staggering 339,600 miles:
more than 13 times around the equator.The iconic car, first registered in 2000, is still running on the original 3-cylinder engine and gearbox. It began its life 5 years ago doing daily trips of almost 200 miles for a German dental laboratory and has since been run by an automotive magazine.
The car’s repair history during its marathon mileage has been unspectacular: the original brakes were changed at 84,000 miles and the clutch at 96,000 miles. All other repairs have been minor and the car is still going strong..
Chris Smith, Car Editor at Glass’s Guide, said:
“Facts like these underpin our opinion that the smart fortwo has the best residual value of any of its competitors.”
Jeremy Simpson, head of smart in the UK and Ireland, said:
“Many people make the assumption that small cars are not particularly durable, however, smart is no ordinary small car because it is engineered by Mercedes-Benz. It has been seven years since the original fortwo was launched in Europe and so it’s no surprise to see stories like this appearing around the world.”
I'm not sure the exception proves the rule though. As there are many owners who have their engines rebuilt after 40-60k miles. So either the engines are not as robust as they should be, or Smart car drivers abuse their cars more than most.
Rose Chap
MB Enthusiast
I'm selling my Smart Brabus Roadster today. 2004 and 85,500 miles. Original engine.
One of the problem with Smarts is that they demand very frequent service intervals - every 7000 miles in the case of my Brabus Roadster.
Don't forget the engines are fairly pokey for their size. The Brabus Roadsters put out 101 bhp from a turbo charged 700cc 3 cylinder. This is not to be sniffed at.
Given that they are marketed as budget cars it probably comes as a shock to owners to find that they are paying main dealer MB prices for (very) frequent services. A large network of independants exist and whilst some are very good (like PCS), some are decidedly average (like the one I used before going back to Tony Purslow).
I bought my Roadster exclusively for commuting, and during the peak it was being serviced every 6 weeks!
One of the problem with Smarts is that they demand very frequent service intervals - every 7000 miles in the case of my Brabus Roadster.
Don't forget the engines are fairly pokey for their size. The Brabus Roadsters put out 101 bhp from a turbo charged 700cc 3 cylinder. This is not to be sniffed at.
Given that they are marketed as budget cars it probably comes as a shock to owners to find that they are paying main dealer MB prices for (very) frequent services. A large network of independants exist and whilst some are very good (like PCS), some are decidedly average (like the one I used before going back to Tony Purslow).
I bought my Roadster exclusively for commuting, and during the peak it was being serviced every 6 weeks!
Can I be nosy and ask what your asking price is please? Do you anticipate the value being significantly hit by the high mileage on the original engine? I've been pleasantly suprised how well my wifes 2003 ForTwo has held its value.
Credit given when due, the Smart car is very easy to do an oil and filter change. On my second attempt I think it would take me less than 10 minutes.
Apial
Active Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2004
- Messages
- 743
- Car
- 300ce-24 sportline
Bear
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2003
- Messages
- 374
- Location
- South London.England
- Car
- W123 300D G460 280 GE G460 300 GDT
Perhaps a visit to the pet shop for a replacement?
Dieselman
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 34,198
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
That doesn't add up. 200 miles per day is 50k miles per annum, so only 250k miles over the five years.
Are these figures not meant to be Kilometres being a German vehicle.?
Member Jimmy wasn't a Smart knocker when his daily use vehicles gave up at 30k miles.
Last edited:
Dieselman
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 34,198
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
Ha ha. I didn't see it, but can guess.. 
Ha ha. I didn't see it, but can guess..
shhh...don't tell anyone....I think I got away with it
Rose Chap
MB Enthusiast
I'll go as far as saying I've lost £7000 in 27 months in depreciation, and have bills for servicing and other repairs totalling over £5000. This is mainly due to the very high mileage.
Smarts are NOT cheap to run!
When I said it's being sold today I really do mean today! In about an hours time I'll no longer be the registered owner.
grober
MB Master
There's a definite question about the engines longevity in the first version. 
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=600 This may be due to poor manufacturing, engine design flaws, inappropriate servicing regime-e.g. town/cold running might really require 3,000 mile oil changes, or the engine is simply too stressed for what its expected to do.
The end result is questionable engine life in a car where replacement parts/labour from the manufacturer don't come cheap.
Like many "urban concept" cars clever packaging and funky design are let down by trying to manufacture these cars on the cheap and selling them at inflated prices.
How many years have we been waiting for an electric Smart to be released on the general market- and at a price that really reflects its manufacturing cost. 
In mass manufacturing terms its hardly more complicated than an large modern day washing machine for God's sake- what's the problem?
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=600 This may be due to poor manufacturing, engine design flaws, inappropriate servicing regime-e.g. town/cold running might really require 3,000 mile oil changes, or the engine is simply too stressed for what its expected to do. The end result is questionable engine life in a car where replacement parts/labour from the manufacturer don't come cheap.Like many "urban concept" cars clever packaging and funky design are let down by trying to manufacture these cars on the cheap and selling them at inflated prices.
How many years have we been waiting for an electric Smart to be released on the general market- and at a price that really reflects its manufacturing cost. In mass manufacturing terms its hardly more complicated than an large modern day washing machine for God's sake- what's the problem?
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
- Messages
- 20,782
- Location
- Portsmouth, Hampshire.
- Car
- E55K SL500 E250X2 Smart44 Brabus Track car E450Cabriolet X350 Pick up
Chattonmill
MB Enthusiast
My Brother had a Smart Brabus and yes he did lose the engine, so follows the trend really.
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
The problem is that most of your assertions are plain wrong. It is not simple and cheap to make. It is not built cheaply and sold at inflated prices. In fact the opposite is true. It costs a fortune to make and is sold at way below its true full cost. That is why Mercedes have lost huge numbers of millions on the Smart car project and probably wish they'd never started it.There's a definite question about the engines longevity in the first version.
Like many "urban concept" cars clever packaging and funky design are let down by trying to manufacture these cars on the cheap and selling them at inflated prices.
crockers
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2007
- Messages
- 7,099
- Location
- North Wilts
- Car
- XC60 MY2014 SeLux Nav plus lot and lots of toys...
hawk20
MB Enthusiast
Are you sure. There wasn't a diesel to begin with was there?
